Technics EAH-AZ60M2 Review: Awkward Middle Child

Worth When Reviewed

$249.99

Finest Costs At present: Technics EAH-AZ60M2

$243.74

The Technics EAH-AZ60M2 are a superb pair of true wi-fi headphones which are solely actually let down by the place they sit in Technics’ personal line-up. 

The addition of wi-fi charging and 3-way multipoint connection seems like scant enchancment from the unique AZ60 earbuds, first launched in 2021, whereas the marginally costlier AZ80 buds are miles higher. 

Nonetheless, for those who can abdomen the $249/£199 value then these are effectively price contemplating: wonderful audio high quality, good noise-cancellation, and a good set of good options make these worthy rivals to AirPods and the like, even when not fairly on a par with Technics’ high mannequin. 

Design & construct 

• Light-weight plastic construct 
• IPX4 water-resistance 
• Selection of seven ear tip sizes 

I’ve maybe been spoilt by reviewing the AZ60M2 proper after testing the costlier AZ80 mannequin, making it difficult for me to not examine the 2. 

It’s most likely due to this that the very first thing I observed concerning the AZ60M2 buds is how light-weight they really feel, virtually flimsy. The buds right here really weigh the identical because the extra premium pair (although the charging case is an efficient 5g lighter), however each are constructed from a barely cheaper-feeling plastic. 

The form of the buds can be totally different, and – to my ears no less than – much less comfy. After an hour or so of listening the AZ60M2s begin to press towards my ears, so these aren’t superb for longer listening, although everybody’s ears are totally different, in fact. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

They do look good although. Out there in blue (pictured), black, or white, these are merely designed however enticing sufficient. They’re hardly attention-grabbing, however they’re not making an attempt to be, and the compact form received’t stick out of your ears a lot. 

In addition they happily carry over the very best elements of the costlier buds. The primary is the selection to incorporate a formidable seven units of silicone eartips in varied sizes, that means you’re all-but assured to discover a match to your ears that no less than ensures the buds sit snugly and block outdoors noise effectively. 

There’s additionally an IPX4 ranking, that means the buds (although not case) can stand up to rain, sweat, and different splashes of liquid – although aren’t sturdy sufficient for a dunk in a swimming pool. 

The case is a bit giant, however can nonetheless slip into jean pockets or a handbag if wanted to. It’s mild, and the lid and hinge really feel a contact flimsy, however the buds drop in neatly and really feel securely held in place by the magnetic charging pins. 

Specs & sound 

• Similar 8mm drivers because the earlier era 
• Hello-Res audio assist with LDAC 
• Good noise-cancellation 

The very first thing to know concerning the sonics from the AZ60M2 is that for those who occur to personal the older pair – or can discover them low-cost – then these use the very same 8mm drivers, so the general audio is essentially unchanged. 

That’s no dangerous factor actually, as a result of the buds sound nice. They provide a wealthy, open soundscape with spectacular vary. Bass is strong, and solely often do you get a bit of muddying of the mids in acoustic fare like Joanne Robertson. 

It helps that you need to use the accompanying Audio Join app (extra on that in a bit) to tweak the earbuds’ EQ settings. Technics features a number of presets, however you even have the liberty to customize the five-band EQ to fit your tastes. 

The buds additionally assist Hello-Res audio utilizing the LDAC codec, although you’ll must have suitable recordsdata (or a supported streaming service) to take benefit, and it doesn’t work on iPhones in any respect (blame Apple for that one). 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Then there’s the energetic noise cancellation (ANC). That is good, however undoubtedly not best-in-class. Most outdoors interference is blocked out, however it may’t stand as much as the rigours of the London Underground or different particularly noisy environments. 

What does no less than assistance is that due to that extra-large array of eartips, you’re extra more likely to discover a set that correctly blocks outdoors noise, so the essential bodily noise discount is best than elsewhere. 

There’s additionally an ambient mode, which makes use of the buds’ microphones to amplify outdoors noise so it sounds such as you’re not sporting buds in any respect – good when you could hear what’s round you or maintain a dialog.  

One of many different small tweaks from the first-gen mannequin is that Technics has improved its noise cancellation and voice isolation tech for calls. Name high quality in noisy environments is best right here than on most different buds, making these a strong alternative for distant staff who might must take calls or conferences on the go. 

Good options & app 

• Clunky however complete app 
• Join to a few units without delay 
• Absolutely customisable controls 

The AZ60M2’s good options are dealt with by the aforementioned Audio Join app, obtainable on each iOS and Android. 

This isn’t the prettiest app on this planet, and the structure could be a contact complicated, nevertheless it packs loads of choices. You’ll be able to tweak the depth of the ANC and ambient modes, regulate your EQ, or do a fast check of the ‘JustMyVoice’ tech to confirm how clear you’ll sound for those who hop on a name. 

Better of all is the choice to totally customise the buds’ contact controls, with distinctive choices for every bud and for single, double, triple, and lengthy touches – providing you with eight management choices in whole. 

It’s also possible to use the app to set a voice assistant – Amazon’s Alexa comes built-in (although off by default), however you need to use your telephone’s assistant by means of the buds for those who favor. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Well, the AZ60M2 are additionally able to connecting to as much as three units concurrently, so there’s no want to change between (say) your telephone, laptop computer, and Change console, with the buds dynamically dealing with the audio from every on the similar time. 

This three-way multi-point connection is just about distinctive to Technics proper now, nevertheless it does include one caveat: due to bandwidth limitations you may’t allow three units and use the LDAC codec. If you need Hello-Res audio, you’ll have to stay to 2 units at a time. 

It’s additionally price noting that I’ve had some oddly sluggish connectivity over the buds’ Bluetooth. As soon as linked they’re rock strong, nevertheless it takes as much as 30 seconds for the buds to totally connect with my telephone every time I take them out of the case, which is a slight irritation.

The one issues actually missing are dynamic options that react to your use. Whereas music will pause once you take a bud out of your ear, they will’t do smarter issues like activate ambient mode once you begin speaking to somebody, or adapt the ANC to solely mute sure sounds whereas leaving others audible. 

Battery & charging 

• Nice multi-day battery life 
• Wi-fi charging 

If there’s one space the place the AZ60M2 buds unequivocally match the costlier AZ80 possibility, it’s on battery. 

These have the very same battery life because the others regardless of the tweaked tech, with Technics promising that you could go seven hours on a single cost whereas utilizing ANC however not LDAC, with a full 24 hours together with the case. 

Deactivating ANC extends {that a} bit additional, whereas utilizing LDAC Hello-Res will shorten it. Both means, battery life is superb, and it’s been backed up by my expertise – utilizing the buds for just a few hours a day I’ve gone over per week earlier than needing to fret about charging the case. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

When you use an Android telephone, it’ll additionally handily show battery stage for each buds and case throughout the working system, taking the guesswork out of it. 

Charging is nice too, with each USB-C and a brand new wi-fi possibility, so it’s all the time handy to high them up. 

Worth & availability 

The EAH-AZ60M2 can be found now for $249/£199 from Amazon and elsewhere. 

That’s the identical value that the unique AZ60 earbuds launched at, although little doubt these will now be obtainable for much less whereas shares final. 

It places these up towards the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and AirPods Professional 2 – however, maybe extra pertinently, Technics’ personal AZ80. 

At $299/£259 these are a comparatively small step up in value, however the bounce is justified: audio high quality is improved, as is the consolation of the match and total construct high quality.  

Take a look at our full rating of the very best true wi-fi earbuds for extra choices on the market. 

Verdict 

The AZ60M2 earbuds are a good possibility that solely undergo from their spot in a crowded market – and Technics’ personal lineup. 

The buds ship good audio high quality and spectacular (if sluggish to attach) connectivity and good options, and are solely actually let down by an inexpensive really feel and barely uncomfortable match. 

The issue is simply that the AZ80 supply a greater all-round expertise for not an excessive amount of extra, whereas the older AZ60 fashions don’t miss a lot and are more likely to get less expensive quickly. 

The AZ60M2 earbuds sound good, however in the end get a bit of misplaced within the combine. 

Specs 

• 8mm bio-cellulose drivers 
• SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs 
• Bluetooth 5.3 
• Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) 
• As much as 7 hours battery with ANC 
• As much as 24 hours whole battery with ANC 
• Wired (USB-C) and wi-fi charging 
• 3-way multi-point pairing 
• IPX4 ranking 
• 7 units of ear suggestions 
• 73 mm x 38 mm x 28 mm charging case 
• 7g per earbud 
• 45g charging case